The tone of the White House and some of Israel’s other Western allies shifted slightly Monday from unequivocal support to “concern for the growing number of casualties” and calls for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas as the Palestinian death toll in the now two-week operation by the Netanyahu administration climbed to 548.

Due to a decision by the high court to dissolve Egypt’s legislature, the country’s presidential election this weekend comes at a time when “there’s no parliament, no constitution or even a clear process for drafting one,” says “Democracy Now!” correspondent Sharif Abdel Kouddous.

According to the “Democracy Now!” Web site, producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar were arrested Monday afternoon “while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention,” and host Amy Goodman was arrested for “defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.”